The Evolution of Sidney Crosby

There have been many, many knocks against Sidney Crosby since he joined the NHL.  He’s been called a whiner and a diver and the accusations that he receives special treatment is hockey’s “Chosen One” will probably never go away.

There have also been several knocks against his hockey talent.  He’s not as exciting or as physical as Alex Ovechkin.  Many feel that his teammate Evgeni Malkin is a better player than he is.  Despite this, most hockey experts would agree that he is one of the best players in the game.  However, he does have his flaws.  Coming into this season there were three big knocks against Crosby.  One, he doesn’t play a physical enough game.  Two, he isn’t a goal scorer and is more apt to pass than shoot.  Three, he isn’t good at faceoffs.

Sidney Crosby has improved in all of those areas.  Armed with a new one piece stick, Crosby shoots much more often these days.  And it’s paying off.   He currently has 20 goals, which places him only one behind league leader Marian Gaborik.

Crosby’s best NHL season statistically came in 2006-2007.  He recorded 120 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy.  That season he scored 36 goals in 79 games.  If he keeps up his current pace, he will end up in the neighbourhood of 50 goals this season.  That’s a definite improvement for a player that has been considered a playmaker his entire career.

In the faceoff circle Crosby has seen a great improvement as well.  At this point in the season he has won 57% of the faceoffs he has taken.  His skill in the circle has definitely helped the Penguins.  Being able to control the first few seconds of play has been a big plus.  Last season Crosby won about 51% of his faceoffs.

Physical play is harder to analyze through statistics, but last year Sidney Crosby was credited with 80 hits in the regular season.  This year he has been credited with 28 hits in 30 games.  That puts him on a similar pace to the previous season.

Crosby’s leadership is frequently questioned.  However, one has to admire that a player who captained his team to a Stanley Cup only a few months ago continues to be so dedicated to self-improvement.  When the rest of the team sees Crosby working to improve all aspects of his game, it makes sense that they would want to follow their captain’s lead.

That’s leadership.

Rick Moldovanyi is a freelance journalist from Toronto. He covers the Pittsburgh Penguins at Penguins Experience and has written for several publications in the Toronto area.

Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Simeon Varlamov Absolutely Robs Sidney Crosby
Five Reasons Why Id Take Bobby Ryan Over Sidney Crosby
Was Sid out-of-line?
Detroit Blanks Pittsburgh 3-0 In Sunday Sleeper
The Crosby Ovechkin file: facts and a little fiction
Has NBC Gone Too Far In the Crosby/Ovechkin Rivalry?

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